Gibson: 'Chavez is a great addition to our team'

Speaking with Arizona Sports 620's Burns and Gambo, Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson confirmed, pending a physical, the gold glove third baseman will be making the move to Phoenix. With the deal all but assured, Chavez will become the second veteran player signed to the D-backs in the last 24 hours. Outfielder Eric Hinske agreed to a one year deal with Arizona on Tuesday.

"I know [Chavez] is a worker. Our interest in Eric, Hinske and Chavez, is that they're veteran guys," Gibson said, noting their comfort with hitting in high leverage situations. "But for our situational hitting, they're guys that know how to do that and can be counted on to do that and beyond what they can do individually, I think it's just a great addition to our team."

Gibson said Chavez will play a major role for the team in 2013.

Listen: Kirk Gibson, Arizona Diamondbacks Manager

Gibson talks about the role the newly acquired third basemen Eric Chavez will play in 2013. What did Gibby like about Nieves, who was also recently resigned. Burn and Gambo go over some of the rumors the Dbacks have been involved with in the winter meetings with Gibson. Does Gibby believe the Dbacks still need a veteran pitcher before spring training? Gibson expects to have Justin Upton in his lineup as of spring training.

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"I see Chavez probably getting a lot of playing time, third base and first base, maybe 300 or 400 plate appearances," said Gibson. "He's had an injury past and it's going to be important that we are able to close this deal out. I'm going to have to be very, very alert to not push him too far and get to where there's an injury situation."

Splitting time between first base, third base and designated hitter last year, Chavez had his most productive season in recent memory. He finished the 2012 season with a .281 batting average, 16 home runs and 37 runs batted for the AL East-winning New York Yankees.

"He had a very good year last year and he played in a very tough league last year," said Gibson. "So certainly we'll try and use him to our advantage."